The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-11-09

| keeping OF man who had neither pity
nor aid for tn I'm who had fallen behind
in the race of life: that she had firmly
resolved.
81 thought you would like sleigh
ride" he said, as he held the white hand
which she had extended toward him in
greeting. The afternoon is unusually
fine, and besides, have a little project
should like to suggest for your consider
ationr
A phantom dance, or race on snow
shoes, or something in the toboggan n
liner she said, looking interested-too
intensely and demurely so, for sincerity
if he could have interpreted it Alright.
well. you can have any of those if
Won like he answered.
But he had dropped the soft white
hand, and Elizabeth wondered at some
vague change in his look and manner.
which she could not define
must deny myself of any and of all,
even the sleighing, for to-day" she re-
Piled, with regret that was unmistaka-
bly, sincere.
/ hope not the sleigh ride, he replied
in surprise A party of our friends are
to meet US at De Nalso's A band is going
out; We are to have supper and little
dancing; and then jaunt home by moon
light. We had counted on having you
with us, Elizabeth"
She took mental view of the tempt
ing prospect-the glorious sunlight. and
moonligt, with the dazzling sky above
and the dazzling snow beneath of the
brilliant boulevard, with its splendor
and merriment of nodding plunes and
tingling bells, of the band, of the dan
cling and the banqucting.
The ew was alluring, certainly.
But then, the contents of the big ham
per were to be distributed There were
the poor, her sick, her sorrowing-eacb
one waiting for her words of counsel and
comfort, for her more convincing tokens
of charitable intent in the way of bread
and medicine.
And then there was distressed family
only few hours before brought to her
notice-the mother dying, the father
temporarily disabled by some almost ia
tai accident, and the only child, girl,
young and fair like herself-praying
Heaven f,r the trifiing help which would
keep their home unbroken in their sea-
son of trial.
Ali this passed before Elizabeth's men
tai vision in brief moment, as she stood
listening to Mr. Keith's concluding utter
ances
And in that brief moment her decision
was made. The prospect was tempting.
and the gay party had quite counted on
her being with them, very likely, but the
afternoon was sacred to the unfortunate
ones whose grieving eyes would gladden.
at her coming-whose depths of misery
would seem but the deeper if she should
fail them.
4 am awfully sorry she said at last
in careless words, which belied her seri-
Gus thoughts. should have enjoyed
the sleighing immensely. If could have
had little previous intimation of the
pleasure. | could have availed myself Of
the compliment and joined our friends of
course As it is, / unluckily have pre-
Guiding engagement
With your dressmaker ?" Mr.. Keith
observed smilingly, in voice which was
somehow unlike his own.
With Madame Sanbroke9 Oh. she is
an artistic, and one of the most exacting,"
said Elizabeth, catching the cue from the
observation and utilizing it to the utmost.
Her creations are perfection-exquisite
dreams of harmony or contrast !; but her
fitting seance, il is narrowing and her
bills are absolutely appalling, as poor
Uncle Gay can testify, if he would
This diplomatic little fable-charmin
or otherwise-produced the effect in
tended.
Mr.. Julius Keith bowed courteous
Difference to her excuses, and as courte-
ously took his departure.
How dearly, how adoringly could
love her if she were only less frivolous"
he thought as he once more took the
reins in his seal gloyed hands and head
ed his belled and prancing grays down
the gay winter street. But | might as
well, first as last accept the truth-that
Elizabeth Archleigh hasn't thought or
aim above her gloves and dresses
In the meantime Elizabeth Archleigh,
standing in the oriel easement of the ele-
CANT drawing room, was watching him
out of sight with eyes dim with tears.
He hasn't an ambition above the pas
time of the moment" she thought with
strange bitterness. Amid all the pag-
cant of the snow carnival he will see no
visages pinched with want, amid the mu-
sic of the sleigh bells and banquet band
he will hear no wall of woe. His indif-
ference to the means of the needy is
The rift within the lutte.
which will widen more and more until
we two shall drift apart forever"
Ii was in an unwonted sobered and re-
Elective mood that Elizabeth started on
her mission of sweet charities
Her las visit was to the afflicted fami-
ly who had been incidentally mentioned
to her that morning.
But their immediate wants had already
been relieved.
Ii was the rent that was bothering us
and Annie going wild fearing the mother
and me was to be packed off to the hes
pital,' the injured man said to her. "An-
ME can manage all but the rent she's
earning little, and Mr. Keith, as the
paid agent for us. thinks he can get some
lady he knows to give her sewing at
home till am on my ieet and at wuk
again"
Mr.. Keith" she repeated wonder
ingly.
He is rare feeling young man, is
Julius Keith" the other continued. 1T
is many the likes of us, and of them in
sorer trouble, he is helping out of his
own pocket, or getting them work,
which is often better Mebbe, miss, you
be the lady he was to bring to see Annie
about the sewing"